2025 Tool Kit and Conference Assemblies

Tool Kit

Church council representatives, committee members, rostered ministers, church staff and all others involved with ministry in their congregations are invited to join us for Tool Kit for Congregational Leaders! This popular event features workshops that focus on various areas of interest to those involved in congregational life:

– Presidents & Vice Presidents: Leading a Church Council – Jim Buckley & Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer
– Decision or Discernment? – Deacon Krista Lind
– Understanding the Opioid Crisis – Pastor Seth Perry, Sean Young-Stephens, Josephine Igwacho & Russ Hanes
– Embodied Practices for Social Justice – Rachel Svanoe Moynihan
– Grief in the Church System – Pastor Jules Erickson
– The Joys and Challenges of Shared Ministry – Pastor Cassie Nault
– Becoming an Effective Treasurer – David Laden
– Healing Nature Trails – Steven Yahr
– Introduction to Centering Prayer – Pastor John Keller

Click here for session descriptions!

Conference Assemblies

Tool Kit is held in conjunction with the synod’s conference assemblies. The six conferences of the synod will meet separately and the agenda may include elections, proposed resolutions or other matters. These gatherings are open to anyone from the synod who wishes to attend, along with designated voting members selected by each congregation. Click here for the list of congregations’ voting member allocations.

REGISTRATION

The registration fee for Tool Kit is $20 per person, which includes materials and lunch. There is no charge for those attending only a conference assembly.

Advance registration has ended. Registrations will be accepted on-site at Shepherd of the Valley beginning at 8:00 a.m. The check-in table is located just inside Door 1.